Field Validation of Millettia pachyloba Leaf Extract for Root-Knot Nematode Suppression and Productivity Improvement in Cavendish Banana

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) constrain Cavendish banana production and motivate the evaluation of plant-derived management options. This study evaluated an aqueous leaf extract of Millettia pachyloba (MPEA) under semi-field and field conditions. The semi-field experiment tested MPEA at 300–600 ppm, whereas the field experiment tested 400–700 ppm; oxamyl and water controls were included, and the semi-field experiment also included an uninoculated normal control. At the highest MPEA doses, the nematode reduction rate (NRR) reached 61.50 ± 1.12% at 45 days in the semi-field experiment and 60.04 ± 0.27% at 60 days in the field experiment, compared with 64.30 ± 1.20% and 62.99 ± 0.25% for oxamyl, respectively (p < 0.05). Under field conditions, MPEA700 was associated with a pseudostem length of 1.88 ± 0.06 m, leaf area of 42.61 ± 1.63 cm2, 10.11 ± 0.53 hands per bunch, finger weight of 130.40 ± 1.16 g, and total yield of 67.22 ± 0.26 t ha-1 yr-1. These findings support further evaluation of MPEA as a plant-derived component of integrated nematode management. Multi-site validation and assessment of formulation stability, residues, non-target effects, and environmental safety are still required before routine on-farm recommendations can be made.